Ketamine (Injection)

Introduction

Ketamine

Causes you to become unconscious before having surgery or a medical or dental procedure. May be used on its own or with another medicine. This medicine is a type of anesthetic.

Brand Name(s)

There may be other brand names for this medicine.

Ketalar

When This Medicine Should Not Be Used

You should not receive this medicine if you have had an allergic reaction to ketamine.

How to Use This Medicine

Injectable

A nurse or other trained health professional will give you this medicine.

This medicine is given as a shot into one of your muscles. It can also be given through a needle placed in one of your veins.

Drugs and Foods to Avoid

Ask your doctor or pharmacist before using any other medicine, including over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products.

Make sure your doctor knows if you are using any kind of narcotic pain medicine such as codeine, hydrocodone, oxycodone, OxyContin®, Percocet®, Tylenol® 3, or Vicodin®. Tell your doctor if you use a barbiturate such as phenobarbital.

Make sure your doctor knows if you drink alcohol on a daily or regular basis.

Warnings While Using This Medicine

Make sure your doctor knows if you are pregnant or breast feeding. Tell your doctor if you have blood circulation problems or untreated high blood pressure.

This medicine may make you dizzy, drowsy, or confused for several hours. If you have had outpatient surgery, you will need someone to drive you home.

This medicine may make you have unusual thoughts or behaviors after the surgery. You might feel confused or excited, or you might see or hear things that are not really there. You might feel as if you are dreaming while you are awake. Call your doctor if these thoughts or behaviors are severe or last longer than 24 hours.

Wait at least 24 hours after you receive this medicine before you drive, use machines, or do anything else that could be dangerous if you are not alert.